Supporting structure for elevated storage tanks



Nov. 10, 1959 A. GRAM 2,912,074

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR ELEVATED STORAGE TANKS Filed March 25, 1957 SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR ELEVATED STORAGE TANKS Anker Gram, Port Credit, Ontario, Canada, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Products Tank Line of Canada Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a corporation of Canada Application March 25, 1957, Serial No. 648,202

1 Claim. (Cl. 189-17) This invention relates to supporting structures for elevated storage tanks and to a method of erecting such tanks.

It is an object of this invention to provide a supporting structure for elevated storage tanks for Water and the like which will permit erection of the tank in a much more convenient, rapid, less expensive manner. More specifically, the invention is designed to render possible the initial substantially complete erection of the column supports for subsequent mounting thereon of the substantially completely preassembled container including the shell, roof, and bottom portions thereof.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a side elevation of a storage tank structure in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the storage tank structure,

Figure 3 is a partial side elevation of a portion of a modified tank structure, and

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a portion of the tank structure.

In the drawing, the tank container shown has a cylindrical shell 1, a roof 2 and a bottom 3.

In accordance with the invention, erection of the supporting column structure for the tank is substantially completed prior to mounting of the tank container thereon. The supporting column structure shown comprises a plurality of columns 4 provided with braces 5 and 6. The lower ends of the columns lie on a circumference of a circle which is somewhat larger than the circumference of the circle upon which the upper ends of the columns lie to provide a structure which tapers slightly inwardly from the bottom to the top thereof. Each column has an inwardly curved upper portion 7 constituting a continuation thereof and extending into substantially end to end meeting relation with the portion 7 of the opposite column. Each portion 7 follows generally the contour of the roof of the container to be supported. Each portion 7, as shown, comprises a plurality of sections 8 which are secured together in end to end relation as by welding.

The meeting ends of the portions 7 of the columns may be secured directly to each other as by welding or a central cylinder 9 may be provided to which the ends of portions 7 are welded. It will be observed that each pair of columns with its upper curved portions 7 form an arch from which the container may be suspended.

The roof 2 and bottom 3 may be formed from a plurality of sector-shaped sections 10 which are butt-welded or otherwise secured to each other. The roof includes a central top cap plate 11 to which the inner ends of the sections 10 are adapted to be secured. Preferably, the

States Patent 0 sections 10a and cap plate 11 of the roof 2, which are arranged to directly underlie the curved portions 7, are welded or otherwise secured to the under surface of portions 7 prior to erection of the latter, such sections 10a, plate 11 being at this stage in detached relation to the remaining portion of the roof;

It is proposed that the container parts including shell 1, roof 2 and bottom 3, but excepting the sections 10a of the roof, will be completely pre-assembled on ground level prior to erection in the supporting structure described. Thereafter, it is hoisted into place in proper relation to the supporting columns. This is possible because the arched formation of the columns provides the necessary strength to carry the load imposed during the hoisting operation. Furthermore, since the lower ends or the columns are, spaced more widely apart than the upper ends thereof, space is provided therebetween to readily perform the hoisting operation since approximate engagement of the shell with the upper ends of the columns does not occur until the final stage of the hoisting operation. Preferably, to further facilitate the hoisting operation, a slight clearance (say, about one-half inch) is provided between the shell 1 and each column when the container is in its final position. Thereafter, a bearing plate 12 is inserted between the shell and each column and welded into place to take up this clearance and more evenly distribute the load from the columns to the tank shell.

Finally, the sections 10a and cap plate 11 are Welded or otherwise secured to the adjacent sections 10.

There has thus been provided a storage tank having a supporting structure of greatly improved strength and which may be erected in a rapid, convenient and inexpensive manner.

I claim:

A Water storage tank comprising a tank container having a cylindrical shell, and a curved roof fixed to said shell and having a plurality of sector-shaped sections secured together, and means supporting said tank container in elevated position comprising a plurality of upright columns, the lower ends of said columns being spaced more widely apart than the upper ends of said columns, said upper ends of said columns having slight clearance with said shell, a bearing plate interposed between the upper end of each said column and said shell and fixed to said column and shell to take up said clearance and support said shell, and a curved member fixed to the upper end of each said column and constituting a continuation thereof, each said curved member extending over and being in fixed supporting engagement with one of said sector-shaped sections, each said curved member being longer than the related sector-shaped section, each said curved member being in radial alignment with another of said curved members, the ends of all said curved members being in fixed engagement with each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,621,984 Horton Mar. 22, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS 665,969 France May 13, 1929 

